Morning top 5: Sinn Fein has best ever results in Stormont elections; UK could walk away from EU free of charge

Sinn Fein has had its best results ever in the Northern Ireland assembly elections - triggered by the collapse of the power sharing agreement six weeks ago.

The nationalist party is now just one seat behind the DUP - which has taken 28 of the 90 seats available.

Both parties will now have three weeks to form a new power-sharing government to avoid devolved power returning to Westminster for the first time in a decade.

The result is the closest nationalists had come to becoming the largest party in Stormont.

But the DUP's failure to win at least 30 seats means it also no longer has the power to veto legislation, including the blocking of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.

***

Arnold Schwarzenegger has quit The Celebrity Apprentice, following several public rows with former host Donald Trump.

In a statement, the Hollywood star has blamed the show's 'baggage' for his decision to leave after just one series.

Schwarzenegger also accused Mr Trump, who remains an executive producer, of driving away viewers with his continued involvement, which left a "bad taste".

***

An inquiry's found Britain can legally walk away from the EU free of charge, with Theresa May being recommended by government lawyers to walk away from the European Union without paying a £50bn "divorce settlement" being demanded by Brussels if Brexit negotiations end in deadlock with no deal.

The House of Lords report also claims the UK would be in a strong position, if the two-year Article 50 withdrawal negotiations ended without a deal.

But it warned failure to reach a financial agreement would undermine the UK Government's aim of securing access to EU markets.

Pro-Remain Labour MP Peter Kyle said: "Crashing out of the EU with no deal would be a disaster for the UK economy, which would cost us billions and hit the living standards of working people. Any supposed short term savings would be wiped out by real and lasting costs to the economy.

***

A group representing survivors of 'Mother and Baby' homes says the Galway case is just the 'tip of the iceberg'.

Yesterday it was revealed that the remains of a "significant" number of young children and babies have been found at the site of a former home in Tuam.

Children's Minister Katherine Zappone says no decision has been made yet on how to proceed from here.

Zappone also said that Galway County Council will engage with local residents and those affected to decide what happens to the remains of young children and babies, which have been found at the site of a former mother and baby home.

The revelation was made by the Commission investigating such homes - it has not as yet identified the number of remains found at the site.

***

Gardaí have arrested three men and seized drugs worth around €220,000 in Carlow.

Gardaí searched a house at Borlum Wood on the Green Road in Carlow town around 8pm last night. where they discovered seven kilos of Cannabis Herb and 100 cannabis plants at various stages of growth.

Two men in their 50's and a man in his 30's, all Lithuanian nationals, were arrested at the scene.

They're being held at Carlow Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act.